Norwalk Oyster Fest: Grownups' Guide

Even if you can't stand music and just hate food, you still don't have an excuse not to consider going to the 34th annual Norwalk Oyster Festival this weekend in . There's something there even for the tin-eared bulimics among us.

(Editor's note: We also have a guide for Parents of younger children: .)

The Barbecue Pitt area has been closed this year before the festival began because the ground was too wet to set up the barbecue grills.

The festival will take place starting at 6 p.m. tonight, continue until 11 p.m., then run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and then from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Because the festival, always the weekend after Labor Day, takes place this year on Sept. 11, a city ceremony marking the anniversary will take place on the Main Stage at 3 p.m. Sunday and last about 30 minutes.

In addition to items below, the Oyster Festival will have numerous carnival rides and games.

WHAT DAY TO GO?

You can get a weekend pass that lets you in on two days or all three (see "Admission" information, below, with a link to the ticket website.)

If you're trying to figure out which day you might like to go, keep the weather in mind. According to the National Weather Service (which has a constantly updated 7-day forecast specifically for Norwalk online), here's the weather lineup:

• Friday: Slight chance of thunderstorms and showers (20 percent chance of precipitation)
• Saturday: "A chance of showers, mainly between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ... Chance of precipitation is 30 percent." High temperature: 79 degrees. Saturday night: 20 percent chance of rain or drizzle.
• Sunday: "A chance of rain or drizzle, mainly after noon. ... Chance of precipitation is 30 percent." It will be cooler, with a high temperature of 69 degrees.

This forecast is as of 10:05 a.m. Friday, and they'll update it.

Music

This year's festival kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. in Veteran's Park. Music on the "Heineken Stage" starts at 6 p.m. with Citizen Jane (The Grapes follow at 7:30, and then it's Pimpinella at 9 p.m.) On the main stage, Ten Year Vamp starts its set at 7:30 p.m. and Fuel follows at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, Soul Asylum takes the main stage at 9 p.m., and on Sunday, Silverado plays at 6 p.m.

The Norwalk Seaport Association website has a full list of singers and bands and a lineup of when they're playing.

Here's a guide to the bands with links to their websites (when those links could be found) and YouTube videos (where they could be found):

• Oyster Fest Friday: Guide to the Bands
• Oyster Fest Saturday: Guide to the Bands
• Oyster Fest Sunday: Guide to the Bands

Oyster Slurping and Shucking Contests

On Saturday at 2 p.m., a shucking contest will feature professionals and amateurs on the Heineken Stage.

At 2 p.m. on Sunday, also on the Heineken Stage, an oyster slurping contest will feature various Norwalk notables, including last year's winner, Joe Madaffari, the athletic director at Brien McMahon High School. Mayor Richard A. Moccia insists he came only half an oyster behind Madaffari at last year's competition.

A dozen other notable slurpers in the contest:

• Bob Duff - State Senator of the 25th District
• John Fields - General Manager/Hilton Garden Inn
• Andy Garfunkel - Town Clerk and Democratic candidate for mayor
• Herb Grant - President and CEO of DMG and Associates, LLC
• Kathryn Hebert - Norwalk Dept. of Public Works
• Doug Hemstead - City Council
• Jim Himes - 4th District Congressman
• Artie Kassimas - Local Pastor, Member Board of Education
• Susan Marks - Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools
• Harry Rilling - Norwalk Police Chief
• Tom Shrum - Executive Director Norwalk Seaport Association
• Travis Simms - Former WBA Light Middleweight Champion

Motocross and mountain biking Slamfest

At the Slamfest, there will be motocross and mountain biking competitions and events.

BMX and Motocross stunt shows will feature "Thrust Moto FMX (Freestyle Motocross) and BMX Teams, plus eight times National Mountain Bike Trials Champion Mike Steidley, one of the most exciting and extreme mountain bike riders in North America," according to the festival website. There's a YouTube commercial for the Slamfest.

Here's the schedule for the stunt shows:

• Friday: 6, 6:45 and 7:45 p.m.
• Saturday: 1,3,4, 5 and 7 p.m.
• Sunday: 1,3 and 5 p.m.
  

Arts & Crafts Pavilion

The expanded Arts & Crafts area this year includes more than 100 artists selling items including paintings, sculpture, photography and other artwork, as well as children's toys, clothing, jewelry and items for the home.

Oyster Pavilion

Exhibits on Norwalk's oystering history and oysters themselves. Of course they have this—it's an oyster festival.

Food

For alcoholic beverages, you should have the usual I.D. handy.

The "International Food Court" is made up of food stands run by area nonprofit organizations and groups. Here are what some of the more interesting ones are serving (there's a full list on the Seaport Association's website):

• East Avenue United Methodist Church Funnel Cakes
• Exchange Club of Norwalk Lobster, Soft Shell Crabs, Corn on the Cob, Fresh-Cut French Fries
• Flotilla 72, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Oysters & Clams on the Half Shell, Manhattan & New England Clam Chowder, Lobster Bisque
• Huntington Congregational Church Knockwurst, Regular or Smoked Bratwurst, Potato Pancakes, German Potato Salad
• Norwalk Jaycees Combo Platter (Fried Clams, Baked Stuffed Clams & Jalepeno Poppers), Lobster Egg Roll
• NSA Sheffield Island Lighthouse—Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich, Crab Cake Sandwich, Fish & Chips, Jambalaya
• Sons of Italy—Sausage, Peppers & Onion Grinder, Meatball Grinder
• St. Ann Club—Pizza Fritta, Italian Pastries, Cappuccino
• St. George Greek Orthodox Church—Souvlaki, Gyro, Greek Salad, Loukoumades, Greek Pastries
• NSA "Celebrating the Sea" Education Programs—Oyster or  Shrimp Dinner, Combination Dinner (Oysters & Shrimp), Chicken Finger Dinner (all dinners include French Fries & Cole Slaw), Oyster or Shrimp Po' Boy Sandwich

Tall Ships

Soundwaters, an 80-foot-long replica of a Chesapeake Bay sharpie schooner, will be available for boarding and your personal inspection.

Harbor Tour Cruises

Cruises of the harbor are available from the Seaport Association's C. J. Toth Quest ferryboat.

Green Pavilion

The pavilion includes "environmentally focused activities and exhibits to keep you thinking green such as arts & crafts from recycled materials, [and a] Recycle Art Gallery," according to a news release from the Seaport Association.

Also at the pavilion: farm produce from the Connecticut Organic Farmers Association and yoga.

THE BASICS:

Timing: The festival starts tonight at 6 pm. and runs till 11 p.m., then runs 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

What you can't bring: No pets are allowed in the park (a city rule). No coolers, bottles, cans, food or beverages are allowed in.

What you should bring: Comfortable footwear and sun block (and maybe a hat). You'll be in an outdoor park. Don't forget to bring money (although there are two Bank of America ATMs on the site: One at the Kids Cove section, the other at the Food Court.

ADMISSION for adults is $10 on Friday and $12 on Saturday and Sunday. Children under five are free, children 5-12 years old get in for $3. And if they wear a pirate costume and are with an adult, they get in free as well. Senior citizens (aged 62 and older) are charged $10. You can buy tickets online or by calling (800) 838-3006 at any time of the day or night, seven days a week. At the gate, cash as well as American Express, Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted.

Family Day Sunday admission: For each adult paying admission, one child 5-12 years old can get in free (a $3 savings); a $15 bracelet entitles the wearer to unlimited rides between 11 a.m. (when the festival opens) to 2 p.m., and there are special kids meals.

Weekend passes and family discounts are available online (click "Begin Order" for details). Otherwise, a ticket is only good for one day.

Metro-North fare & admission deal: The railroad offers a special discounted fare on the New Haven Line to the South Norwalk Metro-North station, a free shuttle bus to the festival from the station, and discounted admission to the festival.

PARKING off-site is free. You then take a regular shuttle bus to the festival at :

• On Friday, parking is only at (blue shuttle bus) and at (yellow shuttle bus).
• On Saturday and Sunday, parking is at the same two lots as well as at 10 Norden Pl. in East Norwalk (orange shuttle bus) and at (red shuttle bus).
• Handicapped parking and shuttle-bus transportation is available from the Norwalk Community College parking lot.

Here's a downloadable map if it helps (south is at the top of the map, if it matters).

The Norwalk Seaport Association has more information on the Norwalk Oyster Festival on its website, and a Frequently Asked Questions page.